Kia posts fastest growth among Europe's top 10; EV registrations jump 58%

[Financial News] Kia recorded the fastest growth among major European automotive brands. New-vehicle registrations rose 9% from January through August this year, putting Kia first in growth among Europe's 10 best-selling brands. BEV registrations also increased 58% over the same period, boosting overall performance.
According to European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) statistics released on the 5th, Kia recorded 377,078 registrations in Europe (EU+EFTA+UK) from January through August this year, up 9.0% from 346,047 in the same period last year. This was 3.2 percentage points higher than the 5.8% growth recorded by Europe's overall passenger-car market during the same period. Kia's market share also rose from 4.0% to 4.1%, placing it ninth by sales volume.
None of Europe's top 10 brands by sales volume posted a higher growth rate than Kia. Škoda Auto followed at 8.5%, ahead of Audi at 4.1%, Mercedes-Benz at 3.4%, BMW at 1.6%, Toyota at 1.3%, and Renault at 1.1%.
The monthly trend was even stronger. Kia's European registrations totaled 36,392 in August, up 15.5% from the same month a year earlier. Europe's overall market grew just 5.3% that month. Kia's monthly market share expanded by 0.4 percentage points, from 4.0% to 4.4%.
EVs drove this growth. According to European sales data released by Kia Netherlands, Kia's pure electric vehicle registrations increased 58% year on year from January through August. As a result, Kia's share of Europe's EV market rose to about 4.8%, ranking seventh among brands.
Growth was also pronounced across individual markets. Kia's EV registrations increased by 120% in France, 112% in Germany, 66% in the United Kingdom, 60% in Spain, and 41% in Italy. The expansion of its EV lineup, centered on Kia EV3 and including Kia EV2, Kia EV4, Kia EV5, Kia EV6, Kia EV9, and the purpose-built vehicle (PBV) Kia PV5, is believed to have contributed to the increase in sales.
Europe's EV market itself is also expanding rapidly. According to ACEA, 2,133,364 BEVs were registered in Europe from January through August this year, up 38.8% from the same period a year earlier. Kia's EV growth rate was 19.2 percentage points higher than the market average. With EVs growing much faster than overall sales, electrified models have become a key driver of Kia's growth in Europe.
Expanded local production is also considered a foundation for this growth. Kia produces Kia EV4 at its plant in Žilina, Slovakia, to meet demand for EVs in Europe. The combination of local production, which offers advantages in logistics costs and supply responsiveness, and an expanded EV lineup is increasing the possibility of further market-share gains in Europe.
An industry official said, "Europe is a key market where major automakers are competing for leadership in electric vehicles. Since Kia has significantly outpaced the market average not only in overall sales growth but also in EV growth, the rollout of new models and the expansion of local production will be key factors in sustaining its upward performance trend."
[email protected] Kim Dong-ho Reporter